design and construction
The design process is a communication process. Our philosophy is simple. LISTEN to the client and produce their dream, not ours. Listening is the critical and key element in drawing from the client their sense of home, building or place. The end product is purely a result of mixing the clients' visions and dreams with our style to create a unique home or building that totally reflects their individual desires and character. The process is part architect, but must be all client. We have not succeeded unless the end product is one with the client. The process created for each specific client will be as individual as the home crafted from its outcome. It is truly a total collaboration between owner/client, architect and any other members of the team that may be involved, such as interior designers, engineers, landscape architects and contractors.

Initial Meeting
Prior to preparation of a proposal for architectural services or execution of a contract, this is an introductory meeting that allows both parties to meet and have an informal discussion about the clients' vision of the project and introduction to the scope of work. The meeting presents an opportunity to determine compatibility between client/owner and architect and provides the architect with the information necessary to understand the proposed project and to formulate a proposal/contract to the client.

Site Selection/ Site Analysis
This process may have already taken place by the time the architect and client/owner first meet. If not, if established as part of the scope of work, the architect can help the owner with the actual selection of a lot or property. If the property is already in possession of the owner, the architect will evaluate the property and recommend to the owner the best location for the home or building.

Educational
A continuing process of educating, informing and enlightening the client during the programming and design processes to assist in furthering their creative vision and ability to learn to think outside the box. This phase will include recommending books, articles and reference materials to increase client involvement and enjoyment and to stimulate the development of ideas. The process may involve visiting other projects or reviewing photographs of homes or businesses with similar concepts, feel or detailing.

Programming
The architect will provide the owner/client with a multiple page questionnaire designed to solicit ideas, thoughts, concepts and information from the client. The idea is to provide the architect with as much information possible about the clients' wants, desires and needs relative to function, aesthetics, layout, room relationships, details, schedules and budgets. The answers from the questionnaire will be converted into a written program that will be used as an evolving design guideline throughout the design process.

Schematic/Preliminary Design
This stage includes several meetings between client and architect to produce a clear design concept reflecting the programmed wants and needs of the client. Documents during this phase may include such items as simple bubble diagrams and freehand sketches and should take the project through a conceptual site plan, floor plan and exterior elevations.

Design Development
Design development is a further delineation of the schematic/conceptual stage. It's purpose is to further refine the documents produced during that stage and to refine concepts, confirm building areas and preliminary contractor pricing to ensure the project is still on the right track before completion of construction documents. Drawings would move from freehand to computer produced CAD documents at this time. Several additional meetings between client and architect will take place during this stage.

Construction Documents Phase
During this phase, the client and architect will meet several times to review and approve the various architectural drawings that will be ultimately used for construction of the project. The amount of drawings and level of detail provided will be dependent upon the established scope of work criteria. Such things as construction and product specifications and color and material selections may be a part of this process as well if so requested by the client/owner.

Consultant Coordination & Documents Review
During the course of the design and construction documents phases of the project, and as may be required for permitting, a number of consultants may be required to provide service, information, data, or documents. Such consultants may include, among others, surveyors, land planners, structural engineers, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers, lighting, kitchen, audio-video and security consultants, landscape architects, interior designers and ADA (handicap accessibility) plan reviewers. We can either assist the client/owner in recommending and/or obtaining consultants for these various phases of work, or we can coordinate, monitor and review the work of the consultants on behalf of the owner/client.

Contractor Introduction/ Identification & Evaluation
We assist the owner/client in identifying appropriate contractors for the project, introducing them to those we know could provide the proper level of quality, design sensibilities and understanding, construction knowledge and service.

Bid Process/ Contractor Selection/ Contractor Negotiation
In this phase we handle the bid process and contractor selection/negotiation process completely or we can assist the owner/client in whatever portion of the process would be of benefit. This phase would include distribution of plans, reviewing plans with the contractor(s), evaluating contractor bids or cost estimates and awarding the contract to the selected contractor.

Contract Administration/ Construction Observation
This stage occurs during construction of the project. We come out to the project site on a pre-determined schedule and number of visits to observe the work being performed by the contractor. Our role would be not as a construction inspector, but to ensure that the home or building is being built according to the construction documents prepared for the project. At the end of each month, or according to whatever construction draw schedule has been pre-determined between owner/client and contractor, we would review the contractor requests for payment and approve the draws for payment by the owner/client or lender, as the case may be.

services and fee methodsServices
Pre-purchase site evaluation and building site selection
Design counseling and technical consulting
Conceptual/ schematic design and architectural master planning
Complete or partial design services
Construction documents and product specifications
Contract administration and construction observation/monitoring
Construction consulting
Bidding, contractor selection and contractor negotiations
Model building
Renderings and marketing graphics
Design guidelines for subdivision development
Land development services and development consulting

Fee Methods
Our fees vary from project to project and our scope of services is tailored totally to the needs of the clients. We will provide a fee for a particular project once we have visited with the client/owner and clearly understand the scope of work and the specific needs and requirements of the client. Each project is different and may require a different level of service. As a result, we don't have one flat rate that applies to all project types and do not quote project fees in that manner.

The various fee methods that we typically work under are:
Hourly
Lump Sum Fixed Fee
Fee Based on Project Square Footage
Fee Based on a Percentage of the Construction Cost of the Project